Today we’d like to introduce you to Azadeh Khatami Toussi.
Hi Azadeh, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The air of my childhood home was perpetually rich with the scent of fresh pastry [1]. From my earliest memories, I stood right beside my mother, learning the craft of baking. In our family, the practice was deeply ingrained; we almost never bought cakes or sweets from outside. For every birthday and family gathering, my mother was the sole provider, meticulously baking every treat herself.
In 2007, a new chapter began when I moved to the United States. While I continued to bake from time to time, making cakes for friends and relatives, it wasn’t yet a professional endeavor. I even kept up traditions, baking Persian sweets for various charity events.
The turning point came in 2011, during a trip to Europe. It was there I was first introduced to the exquisite French macaron. I was immediately captivated, falling completely in love with their vibrant colors and the sheer variety of flavors they offered.
Inspired, I returned to Los Angeles and quickly enrolled in a two-session macaron class. I attempted to recreate them at home, but I quickly discovered their delicate nature; they were incredibly difficult and stressful to perfect. Compounding the challenge, I was expecting my first child at the time, leading me to a necessary pause. Determined not to let the pursuit go entirely, I handed all the recipes over to my mother. With incredible resolve, she took up the mantle, practicing diligently until she finally mastered the complex technique.
For many years after that, I didn’t personally make macarons in the United States.
Then, in 2020, during the unusual circumstances of the Covid period, everything changed. My mother moved to the US as well, and together, we made the exciting decision to restart our macaron journey. This collaborative effort quickly transitioned into a business. We launched an Instagram page, and that specific moment marked the official beginning of my professional endeavor.
Looking back, none of this incredible dream would have been possible without a robust network of love and encouragement. The foundational support of my mother, my husband, and my sister in law was essential. Coupled with the continuous encouragement from family and friends, their belief is truly the reason this dream could become a reality.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth path. Besides making the macarons themselves, which are very delicate, there are all the side tasks too: marketing, staying active on Instagram, and even photographing each order after it is finished. Each of these comes with its own kind of challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I always try to maintain the highest quality for my macarons. Customer satisfaction is very important to me. Sometimes, to make just 12 perfect macarons, I’ve baked nearly 50 to ensure the quality and appearance are exactly as they should be. In addition to taste, I also care deeply about the beauty of each piece. I have an edible printer that allows me to print various designs and logos directly onto the macarons.
Recently I took a macaron workshop in Paris, and it was a great experience. I always love learning new recipes and developing my own.
What’s next?
I do have cottage food permit and work from home kitchen. In the future, I would love to have a shop filled with colorful macarons in delicious flavors. I also hope to work with my mother and offer people fresh, high-quality cakes and pastries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://macaroonland.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macaroonland?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
